Sump for a swimming pool

ABSTRACT

A sump body for a swimming pool is manufactured by injection molding. The sump body consists of at least three inwardly tapered section created for stackability and as a reinforcement. An upper thickened wall section has a top recess therein for receiving a grating therein. At the bottom of this thick walled section is a radially extending disc surrounding said sump body. There are at least two upper and lower ridges on said disc to act as a water barrier when installed in concrete. There is a lateral pipe connection flange directed inwardly to create a smooth outer contour of the sump body and to enhance the stackability of the sump body. At the bottom of the sump body there is located a drainage flange which is also directed inwardly into the sump body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Most all swimming pools have a drainage sump located mostly in the deep end bottom of the pool for draining the pool when necessary and also for participating in the circulation in the pool water which is circulating through a filter system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The above mentioned sump is of a pot-like configuration and has a grating installed over the opening to prevent any type of larger debris from entering into the sump and to prevent any contact of the human limbs with the considerable suction in the bottom of the sump to avoid any injury. Most of the sumps for commercial swimming pools are made of a material such as aluminum, stainless steel, magnesium castings and or plastic materials which will deteriorate rather quickly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventive sump is fabricated quite differently from the known sumps in that the sump is injection molded instead of being fabricated from PVC sheets. The sump has a tapered body which considerably increases the strength of the body and which allows a multiple of bodies to be stacked into each other for storage and while being shipped. The body has a laterally extending extension or disc to prevent water from passing over the flange once it is installed in concrete. Any plumbing fittings are molded into the body rather than extending exteriorily therefrom to prevent any cracking or breaking off from the body when being handled. This feature also aids in the stacking of a multiple of bodies into each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section through the body of the sump;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the sump body;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the sump body.

FIG. 4 is a perspective and break-away view of the sump body

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the inventive sump in a cross-section as it is installed in concrete 1 flush with the surface of the concrete 1. The top of the sump has a recess 2 to receive a grate therein to be fastened into the recess by way of screws that are driven into the pilot holes 2A. The upper part or section of the sump has a thickened side wall 3 to give it added strength. Just below the thickened side wall 3 there is a laterally extending disc 4 which surrounds the body of the sump. In the middle and at the end or periphery of the disc there are upper and lower ridges 5 and 6 which act as water stops once the sump body is installed within the concrete of the pool. This water stop is accomplished by way of the ridges 5 and 6 which present an obstacle to any water trying to pass there over.

As mentioned above, the body of the sump is tapered by way of several sections to render the same stackable and to act as reinforcements. There is the upper thickened section 3 and below that section 3 is a second inwardly tapering section 7 and there is a third inwardly tapering section 8. One of the side walls of the sump body has a connection receiving tube and inwardly directed flange 9 therein. As mentioned above, the purpose of this flange, being directed inwardly, is to prevent the presence of an outwardly directed flange from being damaged in handling and/or transport. The same principle applies to the bottom drainage flange 10 which is also directed inwardly.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the sump body and it is clear how the side flange 9 extends inwardly into the body sump to present a clear and clean outer contour of the sump for stacking purposes as was explained above. In this FIG. 2 like reference characters have been applied, as was in FIG. 1 for clarity purposes.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the sump body. Again like references characters have been applied to the various elements as were in FIGS. 1 and 2. No further explanation as to details is deemed to be necessary.

The sump body can be manufactured in various shapes such as round or square while a square shape is preferred. As mentioned above, the body should be injection molded and the choice of plastic material could be PVC, ABS or polypropylene.

FIG. 4 is a perspective and break-away view of the sump body as illustrated in previous Figs. The same reference characters have been applied as were in FIGS. 1-3 to gain a complete undertanding of this Fig. 

1. A sump body for a swimming pool being molded out of a plastic material, said body having a thickened wall top section having a top recess therein for the reception of a grate, the top thickened wall section having at a bottom thereof an integral and outwardly extending disc thereon, said disc further having upper and lower ridges thereon.
 2. The sump body of claim 1 including a first inwardly tapered section located below said thickened wall top section.
 3. The sump body of claim 2 including a second inwardly tapered section located below said first inwardly tapered section.
 4. The sump body of claim 3 including a third inwardly tapered section located below said second inwardly tapered section.
 5. The sump body of claim 1 including a lateral pipe flange, said pipe flange is directed inwardly into said sump body.
 6. The sump body of claim 1 including a bottom outlet flange, said bottom outlet flange is directed inwardly into said sump body.
 7. The sump body of claim 1, wherein said sump body is injection molded.
 8. The sump body of claim 1, wherein said plastic material is selected from the group consisting of PVC, ABS and polypropylene. 